Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde has played down talk of a rift with Arturo Vidal following his recent activity on social media.
Vidal posted an angry emoji on Instagram after his three-minute cameo against Tottenham Hotspur midweek, which some read as a dig at Valverde for his lack of game time.
“Nothing has changed, we’re the same team,” the Coach said at a Press conference for Sunday’s showdown with Valencia in La Liga.
“Football isn’t maths, we always try the same things but there are times when you make a mistake and you can’t turn it around. Nothing else.
“If Valencia are in the Champions League, the credit is theirs. It’s a Champions League game because of the team we’re facing. Playing at Mestalla stands out early on in the season.
“It’s true that Pique hasn’t been rested yet, I haven’t taken him out and I don’t know why. We’ll see what happens but I’m sure he’ll have to rest at some point.
“Arturo Vidal hasn’t told me anything and I don’t know if he's angry about the game or if he had a personal problem. I don’t know.
“Arthur is a player that we have in mind because he has different characteristics to others and our opponents must take that into account.
“If the praise he receives makes him better then I don’t have to intervene, but if it affects him then we’ll see how it goes.
“I see Messi similar in all our matches in terms of desire. He produces similar data in each game, but I see Leo fired up for every game.”
Barca squad to face Valencia:Ter Stegen, Cillessen; Semedo, Pique, Rakitic, Busquets, Denis, Coutinho, Arthur, Suarez, Messi, Dembele, Rafinha, Malcom, Lenglet, Alba, Munir, Vidal, Vermaelen
